restrictions. We went in and out at will. I went about with some of the
married people, and clung to them all the way out and after. I go and
see some of them at this date when I can find the time. The ship was
brought alongside of the depot, as this place was called, and I thought
it looked so splendid, so clean and nice; but, for all that, more than I
thought it might be our last resting-place. The touch of kindness in it
all was wonderful to me. One lady, also a free passenger, was elected as
matron. She was an English lady, and she endeared herself to all. The
doctor had all our names on a roll, and he called them over every
evening and morning, and we had to answer to our names to see that none
of us got lost. The doctor acted as chaplain. He was a bachelor, and had
many years' experience of sea life. There was a punt that went to and
fro from Birkenhead to Liverpool, and vehicles of all kinds with horses
attached passed over on this punt. It cost a half-penny for each
individual. We often went in companionship in that way, and we saw many
things to surprise us in Liverpool.
We were watching to see when the Morning Star would sail, and wondering
why we were there so long and were provided for, without payment, with
good as well as suitable food. The last afternoon before we sailed we
had our tea on board the ship. Some were skilled in music amongst the
men, and they formed in a harmonious way and marched on board in order
playing some lively tunes with flute and fiddle. Only to think that we
must gradually get settled and be pent up within the walls of a ship for
three months and not see land in that time! We girls were arranged so
many for each table, and the table had a number. We took it in turns to
keep the utensils and vessels that we used clean. The sleeping
convenience, too, was adjusted for sleeping only. There were comfortable
hammock-like beds, and two shared a compartment together. A young
English girl came to me and said her name was put with mine for sleeping
in the same division. I had not seen her before, as she came on board
only in time to sail, as her home was in Liverpool. She cried bitterly
at leaving home and mother. She was about 20 years of age, and so
beautiful and pleasing, and she could sing. We went to sleep, and in the
morning when I awoke I found the ship moving gently. We were being towed
out of the dock by a steamboat.
ON AN EMIGRANT SHIP.
It was a foggy morning. I could see the boat and I learned that we were
in the River Mersey. How different it looked from the River Clyde! I was
on the poop and a man was standing waving to a woman in the boat, who
was also waving a handkerchief. He was a tall, strong-looking man, with
such a tanned face. I looked up at him and saw the tears standing on his
brown cheeks. That was our captain. When we got fairly out to sea a
great many felt ill. Strange to say, I did not, and was able to be
helpful and to go here and there and assist the others. Some were never
on the deck for weeks, but rough or fine I never missed being in the
open air for one day during the voyage. I loved to watch the wheel that
controlled the helm and guided that great ship in a direct course to
Adelaide. A few verses, written by one of the married men, will give
some idea of the high opinion we all had of the captain. They are still
in a legible state, although written so long ago. I will add them here.
The author of them is dead, but in his lifetime in South Australia his
name was popular and high in public favor. Here are the lines:--
ON THE MORNING STAR.
Come, let us be cheerful, at last we are afloat
Alone on the ocean, where battles were fought
By England's true sons, to memory so dear,
Whose cannons were never yet seen in the rear.
Brave Captain Mathews, he is truly a hero,
His barque is his pride on the wide, rolling sea.
His voice through the tempest sounds strong and clear,
And the deck is his cabin when danger is near.
No favor yet asked has he ever refused,
In the fair weather all the young girls are amused.
Always so cheerful, with a sweet, pleasant smile;
See him romp with the children, the time to beguile.
Mr. Granger, the first mate, like the captain, is free,
Always happy when he sees some amusement and glee.
Amongst the young women he is nothing amiss--
I judge by the number that I've seen him kiss.
Mr. Hudson, the second mate, has a fitness of mind,
In his place he is ever upright and kind.
Truth and sincerity you discern in his face,
He will never the cause of old England disgrace.
Then may success attend those three brave sons of the sea,
May fortune befriend them wherever they be;
When old age comes on may their pillow be soft,
When called from below, God grant their souls go aloft!
When scenes and places were pointed out to us I began to realise how far
away I was. When the captain gave orders that we were to be kept below,
as the ship would get a tossing in the Bay of Biscay a solemn silence
fell on us all. The dear old Morning Star ploughed her way through that
awful water, and I could see no bay, but only stormy billows. All our
things swung to the other side of the ship, and the things from the
other side came over to us. We soon regained confidence, and there were
merry peals of laughter to see the plight of the passengers when their
goods and chattels were rushing from side to side. Fancy us being afraid
of sea or storm after that. If any other ship that flitted across the
horizon was near enough the men got out some flags and signalled to her,
and in that way found out who she was and where she was going. If she
was close enough and was homeward bound we could send letters. An
American warship came close by, but when the captain discovered that we
were a ship full of people voyaging to Adelaide he let us go. I learned
that they were bent on plunder. The warship was the famed Confederate
privateer Alabama. I used to read about it and the desperate things
Captain Semmes did on the high seas, not sparing either boats or
schooners, but overhauling them in a most merciless manner. Our captain
knew who they were, but we did not at the time. Although I saw the name
I was not the least disturbed, and years afterwards, when reading a
description of the Alabama, I knew that I had seen her.
The doctor read the Anglican Church service every Sunday forenoon, and
usually we all attended, sailors as well. How sweet the singing sounded
on the sea. It was so solemn and so mysterious with only the sky for a
roof. The ways and the saying and the doings of those on the Morning
Star were very peaceful in that never-to-be-forgotten time. Health and
contentment were unspoilt by contact with the world. I, for one, too
often turned with regret to the old times in Scotland, although our days
were full of excitement. If any isolated places could be seen as we
travelled along the captain would let us have his telescope in turns,
and would tell the name and the situation and all particulars. We
learned that he had children at home, and that when I saw him first he
was waving good-bye to his wife and children. He would come up in the
afternoon with his pockets full of sweets and put them on a canvas to
see us scramble for them. He was beloved by the sailors, and it was good
to see how they would run when he called. He always said, "Come along,
my boys, and let that go every inch."
We were a long time at sea before he knew that I had no relatives on
board, and when I told him I knew no one in Adelaide his voice trembled.
"Oh, well, be brave," he said, "you are young, and you must take your
part in labor and in life." The days seemed to pass so quickly, and as
day followed day the companionship grew more strong, as we were grouped
together with only the noise of the waves to listen to. How little did
some think of the deep shadow of sorrow that would reach them through
those bright, rolling waters. Scarlet fever had already seized some of
the young children, and one by one they were lowered down into the
bitter waters. They would be enjoying their hours of play in the
sunshine on the deck one day and the next they would be gone. The
trouble continued till twenty-seven had died. A man died also, and one
family lost six children, some of them grown up. After seeing so much of
the troubled horrors of the deep we were heavy-hearted, and no wonder.
Everything passed like a mist, and we did not know who would go over
next.
Captain Mathews showed much sympathy for the grief and suffering. How we
watched him as he sat with his telescope, and anxiously wondered how
long it would be ere we got to Adelaide. Wild winds would toss the ship
with such cruel force that we were very anxious. Once we saw icebergs
floating about in the sea, and it required some skill to steer clear of
them. They looked awful. There was a skylight just above where the other
young girl and I slept, but it was always shut and made fast every night
at 10 o'clock. One fearfully rough night when the wind was blowing
strongly the water came rushing down the ladder. It was sea water. Our
berth was getting full, and I could not go on deck for the hatchway was
locked. I called, as loudly as I could, but could not get anyone to
hear. So I thought of a plan, and I found a mopstick and tied my towel
on it, and poked it up through the bars of the skylight, and rattled it
to and fro with such vigor that the captain, who was at the wheel, came
running and calling what was the matter. I said, "Please, captain, will
you put the cover on the skylight to keep the water from coming down the
steps?" He said I would have to appear before the doctor in the morning
to answer for the fright I had given him, and I was sent for in the
morning for the first time.
Fever was in the captain's cabin; the doctor was there and the mates.
The captain said he had been to sea for thirty-three years and had met
all kinds of incidents, but that he had never before had such a fright
as I gave him with that broomstick. He was horrified to see this white
thing come up in the middle of the night. I promised never to offend
again, but I received a good scolding. He said it looked like a goblin,
and he pretended to be angry, but I could see the smile on his face. I
could only look from one to the other, for if the ship had got wrecked
they said I would have been to blame, for the captain was at the wheel
himself, and he let it go when he saw this white object thrust out in
the darkness, while the sound disturbed him as much as the sight of the
thing.
I shall never forget that time. Sometimes doubt and despair were at war.
I felt that I could not undertake the journey again, for the task I had
undertaken seemed harder than any I had learnt before.
A lot of nonsense was talked about "crossing the line." What dreadful
things some of us thought we would see! We feared the Equator and the
Southern Cross, but there was, after all, only fun and merriment, there
being nothing strange to see. The ship went on steadily just the same,
but when they told me a certain constellation of stars was the Southern
Cross, and I lost sight of some stars I was familiar with, I knew we
were making our way to the new land. After crossing the great dividing
of the seas we often had it very hot. This was new to me. Often in the
tropics the ship would just roll to and fro, and sometimes make no
headway. Then we would see the tar boiling in the seams on the deck. We
had plenty of time for dreams and fancies, as we longed for the first
glint of freedom, so as to start into life again. It was getting on
towards the end of December, and we thought of the New Year on board
ship, and set to work to form some plans for being joyous.
Christmas and New Year's Day were festive times. Some of the young girls
who had friends amongst the married people were allowed to go to their
quarters to spend the day, and we had all sorts of enjoyment by
direction of the captain. We were well content with the arrangements,
and the whole time was restful and quiet, despite the monotony of the
voyage. The share of joy and sorrow that comes to every life was not
absent on sea. What troubled me was that I was growing tall, and I
wondered what I should do for clothing. I grew in height and got
broader. I could only with difficulty get on some of my garments that
fitted me well before I left on the long voyage. Some actually laughed,
and asked me why I came before I had stopped growing. I only had one
hat, and that blew over the side of the ship. I stood and watched it as
far as I could see it with tears in my eyes. That had fitted me alright.
We got up our boxes every now and then to look through them. But I must
not keep on about my discomfort, although what seemed droll to others
was to me a matter for serious thought. I had a new pair or boots and
would not wear them on board, but was saving them to go ashore with. I
put them in what I thought a safe place in a corner where we slept, but
when I went to get them the rats had eaten all the kid off them. There
were only left the canvas or lining and the leather on the toes. I took
them and showed them to the captain, and he said it was good to have
rats on board ship, as it indicated that we would not get wrecked on the
voyage. I had been so helpful to the matron all the way that the doctor
told me I would be rewarded with some payment when we got to Adelaide. I
was thankful for that, because I had no money.
We were told that it would take to the middle of February, supposing
everything went right, before Adelaide would be reached. Many on board
were travelling to relations or friends, and there was no home-sickness
amongst them. They counted the moments until their arrival. Neither the
captain, the doctor, nor any of the mates had ever been to South
Australia, nor had any of the passengers been either, so we had no one
to tell us of anything encouraging about this new country. We could
only have hope and courage. Everything was done for our comfort. When
the weather was too hot awnings were spread to protect us from the sun,
and we always seemed to have a reasonable supply of water. I never saw
the least sign of whisky or grog, as it was called, in the case of any
of the officers of the Morning Star.
Cleanliness was universal, and every precaution was taken against
infection by the use of carbolic. That South Australia was a place for
men and women who believed in themselves was recognised, and the
question was often discussed. There were men of culture and training on
board the ship, and so they proved themselves afterwards. It made me
proud to think of having come a sea-voyage with them. The same remark
applied also to the women, with but few exceptions. We had all signed an
agreement to stop in the colony for two years. The thoughts of a return
to Great Britain were shared with many of us, and they gave me hope.
The most painful experience I ever had on that deck was one Saturday
morning. I was sitting in my usual place, when I saw a seaman going up
in the rigging. All at once I heard a fearful cry, and I saw him fall
into the sea. They shut down the skylight to keep the people from
causing confusion. On either side of the ship a lifeboat was lowered in
a moment, and before I had time to look round I could see the mates and
the men in the boats, and the lifebuoys thrown over. The captain had the
ship heaved to. It was awful. They did not rescue the sailor, and it was
affirmed that a shark had pulled him under, as one had been seen that
morning. Sharks were often seen. The sight of that man falling into the
water has lived in my memory. I had not seen him before, except amongst
the others, when they were all together pulling the ropes, but I could
see his face so plainly as he fell that I would have known him again.
This occurred on January 17. The sea was calm, and there was no breeze.
We all felt sad, and the flags were dropped half-mast. All the man's
chattels were given in charge to the steward. He was a young Scotchman,
from the Orkney Islands, and a single man. How I shuddered at the sight
of a shark after that! They followed us nearly all the way. Anyone who
has heard the cry of the sailors when a man falls overboard will never
forget it forever. Then there was the confused mingling of the people,
with the murmurs of "hush, hush."
I ARRIVE IN ADELAIDE.
It was a glorious sight on February 14 when we came on deck to see the
land of the south. There was such intense excitement, and the scene is
beyond my description. Dr. Duncan and some other officials came on board
soon after we reached the anchorage. They had puggarees on their hats
and hanging down their backs. That was the only foreign sign in the
clothing. It was a hot day. I, for one, quite expected to find that the
people dressed differently, and that the houses were on some other plan
from those at home, considering the long distance from Scotland. After
the officials had convinced themselves that everything was satisfactory
the gangway was let down for the people from the shore, who came in
numbers to welcome the friends whom they had not seen for so long.
Amongst the very first was the head-gardener from Sir William Milne's,
at Glen Osmond. The gardener came to meet his sister and her husband
with their family. He had instructions to employ a young girl to do
laundry work at Sunnyside, Glen Osmond, and he pointed out the place
from the side of the ship under the hills. It looked so nice, and he
told me they were a Scotch family. I knew that I was strong, and that I
could do laundry work nicely. He tried amongst the older girls, but came
back to me, and I agreed to go to Sunnyside when we got to the shore.
The captain, the doctor, and the matron were pleased, as there was a
home found for me before I left the ship, and such a dear home it proved
to be.
The married people and the single men went off first, with such of the
young women as had friends to receive them. The next day we were brought
to Adelaide, where a few of the single girls had gone. We were all on
deck next morning in good time. There was no railway from Port Adelaide
to the Semaphore then, so everything was left in its place. All were
making preparations to leave, with hearts full of gratitude to the
captain. While he was sitting looking through his telescope, not
thinking of what was going on behind his back, one of the girls slipped
up quietly and cut off the tails from his old blue serge frock coat. She
then cut it into little bits and gave it to us to remind us of that
grand man. The look on his face when he saw what was done was good to
see. The young woman who did the cutting became a captain's wife two
years after we arrived, and she and I were friends all the time to her
death, which occurred a short time ago. The doctor was very kind to us
all, but not with the hearty interest that touched the captain for the
forlorn condition of some of us. We saw four large omnibuses on the
beach, and in a tempest of sobs we were brought ashore. The doctor had
been to town in the morning. He and the captain came to see that we were
all in the buses safely. We all came to Adelaide that way and got into
King William-street, some inside, and some outside.
I had no hat to wear, and the matron, who was with us, promised to get
one for me that day. The air of cheerfulness amongst these girls was
splendid, and some of them were singing on the way. We were taken to the
home for servants, which stands yet. It was a little way from the
railway-station in King William-street. When I pass it now the past all
comes back to me just as it was as I was getting out of the omnibus. I
could not go back from the thought of what my life and work would be. A
new gladness came to me, for Adelaide seemed a wonderful place. We
admired the brightness of the sky and the splendor of what we saw coming
along, as well as the grape vines about the houses. We had plenty of
fruit of all sorts sent to us on the Morning Star, with many grapes. I
had never before seen a grape-vine growing. The very earth seemed new.
We were kindly spoken to at this home, and everything was done for our
comfort. A committee of ladies were appointed; one, I remember, who was
so nice was Mrs. Henry Gawler. She was so sympathetic. I told her where
I was going, and she knew the lady. Mrs. Gawler took a fancy to me, and
for years afterwards I used to go to her if I was in any difficulty.
It was on a Thursday afternoon that we arrived, and on the Saturday
after tea the coachman was sent to take me to Sunnyside in a
spring-cart. I was shown into the mistress' room, and the first words
she said were, "Dear me, you are young!" It was the same complaint as I
had heard in Scotland, and I wondered if I would ever get older. I
showed the lady the letters and papers I had to give in proof that I
could do what was likely to be required of me willingly. They were a
large family, some were grown up, but there was a baby in arms. There
were other servants. One I found in the kitchen had only been in the
colony a month, but a housemaid who showed me to my room had been in
South Australia all her life. She brought me some grapes, and was so
anxious for my comfort. I am quite sure that thankfulness for the
kindness of them all touched me with a sense of security.
I was early astir in the morning. What a scene was spread out to view.
As far all round as I could see there was nothing but grapes and fruit
trees. I was told that two-and-two the girls went out on Sundays, and if
I liked I could go to town with the cook, and that I should stay home
the next Sunday with the cook. I knew where to find some of my shipmates
if I could get into town. So it was settled that I should go that
morning, because the other girl knew all about Adelaide. There were no
tramcars then. There were two carriage-drives to the house at Sunnyside.
One led to Glen Osmond and the other towards town. We got on a road and
kept the town in view till we got there. I found my way to
Wakefield-street just in time to see some of my friends getting ready to
go to the Port and get on the Morning Star, which was not going away for
some time. They asked me if I would like to go with them, and, having
been so much with this lady and her children, I was pleased to go. I
showed my fellow-servant where and when to come for me, so that we might
go home together, and I went gladly once again on board the ship. They
had got into Port Adelaide and everything looked so different. Most of
the sailors had deserted, which was no unusual thing in those times.
When the captain saw me he said he thought I had told him that I had a
place to go to. I replied that it was my Sunday off. He could not
understand, and the lady I was with tried to explain to him, but he
merely laughed, and his face was a study.
Such a lot of the people who came out with him went to see him again.
The ship did not leave the Port till March 17. I never saw the captain
again, but I liked to hear about his safety and that of the ship, as
well as that of my shipmates, with whom I felt most at home. There were
five brothers, three had wives and families. One was a widower and one a
youth. They had a young Highlander always with them who wore the kilts,
and when we got back from the Port the young man in kilts was there.
I waited and waited, but the young girl from Sunnyside did not come at
the promised time. I was distressed, not knowing my way to the Glen. We
were all strangers. I went to the servants' home, and I met one of the
young girls, and she said she would go with me to enquire the way to
Sunnyside. We returned to tell my friends, and the young Highlander with
one of the brothers said that they would see that I got safely home. So
we all started off, and they made enquiries for the road to Glen Osmond.
The young girl came as well. It must have been the first time for a man
to have kilts on in the colony, for everyone stared so fixedly at him. I
had been so used to see men dressed thus that I could not understand
what the people were so rude for. We kept along till we got to the Vine
Inn. They asked there for the house, and we had to pass into quite a
plantation of trees, which did not look anything like what I saw when
going to Sunnyside the previous night. It was bright moonlight, but
never a body did we see. I caught sight of the house when we got to the
top of a rise. Oh, the joy of the discovery!
At one entrance was the coachman's house and at the other the house for
the gardener. The coachman's house was overgrown with a lovely creeper,
and the Highlander, wanting to know if this was the right place, tried
to get to the door. We could see the light. He was tall. There was a
woman sitting inside with a baby on her knee. She saw only the kilts as
the Highlander had to stoop down to get in. She ran and screamed. It was
the coachman's wife, and she had never seen anyone in kilts before. She
made such a scene, and brought her husband out of bed. The gardener told
me afterwards that his first thought was to lay hold of his gun; but
when he saw me the matter was soon explained. I saw the mistress when I
went in and told her that Lizzie, the cook, did not call for me, and how
I got home. It appeared that Lizzie had a lover, and they thought that
two was company and that three was none.